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Interview: Talking caddies with Brian Shell of the Evans Scholars Foundation

By Colin Mieczkowski

Jan 6, 2017; Maui, HI, USA; Mike Hartford the caddie for PGA golfer Pat Perez carries his bag to the first tee during the second round of the Tournament of Champions golf tournament at Kapalua Resort - The Plantation Course. Pat Perez is sponsored by actor Bill Murray. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 6, 2017; Maui, HI, USA; Mike Hartford the caddie for PGA golfer Pat Perez carries his bag to the first tee during the second round of the Tournament of Champions golf tournament at Kapalua Resort - The Plantation Course. Pat Perez is sponsored by actor Bill Murray. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Western Golf Association and Evans Scholars Foundation are changing lives through caddying.

Evans Scholars Foundation, named for golf legend and Hall of Famer Chick Evans, works in partnership with the Western Golf Association. The collaboration is changing lives.

Evans won three major titles (1916 U.S. Open, 1916 and 1920 U.S. Amateur) and is widely regarded as the greatest golfer in Chicago history. The Evans Scholar Foundation carries Evans’ legacy forward by giving kids the opportunity to earn scholarships through caddying.

The Foundation has generated an incredible $348 million to provide scholarships for deserving caddies over the course of its existence.

I had the chance to chat with the Evans Scholar Foundation’s Director of Education, Brian Shell, about the program in great detail. We also talked a bit about the importance of caddying as a whole and you can listen to the audio below.

The BMW Championship has played an instrumental role in the Evans Scholars Foundation. Since the years when it was the Western Open, it has had a lasting impact on the Western Golf Association and Evans Scholars Foundation.

A presence in some big tournaments, and the “Scholars Houses” makes the organization stronger.

The Western Golf Association and Evans Scholar Foundation also have a major impact on the Western Amateur and Junior tournaments. Their shared heavy involvement with these events has helped the Foundation grow over time.

There have been kids who have suffered from abusive parents and were surrounded by peers who sold drugs, stole things, and landed in jail. Those same kids now are away from the troubling noise, thanks to caddying in the program, and earning scholarships.

One of the cool things is that there are “Scholarship Houses” for those deserving caddies emerging from the program. The houses serve as dorms for Evans scholars, and foster a sense of togetherness among the caddies.

15 Scholars Houses span the country, in places as diverse as Northwestern University, Indiana University and University of Colorado.

Program success is measured in many ways, but the Foundation points proudly to 935 Evans Scholars enrolled at 20 universities for the 2016-17 academic year. Even more impressive: the graduation rate for these students is 95% with a cumulative GPA of 3.2.

Caddying teaches valuable lessons in golf and life. You learn how to deal with other people, work at a young age and make a little money and create lasting memories.

Many of golf’s legends started out as caddies before picking up a club, including Jack Nicklaus, Tom Watson and Charlie Sifford.

Caddying is one of the most important aspects of golf and always has been

Caddies play a major role in the sport of golf. Without loopers, golfers may pick the wrong clubs and over or under shoot their shots.

Look at the newer golfer/caddie tag teams in Jordan Spieth and Michael Greller. Greller knew Chambers Bay well, and since he had that knowledge, it helped propel Spieth to his second major.

Related Story: Michael Greller - The Man Behind Jordan Spieth

In a way, caddies play the role of an on-course architect. They help the golfer survey each hole, and find the weaknesses of them.

Like in video games. Each task presents different challenges, and you have to strategize accordingly.

In golf, a player can do so on their own if they so wish. Caddies study yardage books with emphasis however, making club selection easier.

Related Story: What's the Caddie's Job, Really?

So let this be a valuable lesson that, caddies don’t just carry bags and wear cool bibs. They help the golfer conquer each course.

Using the video game analogy again, most games have “boss battles”. The main “boss” in golf is usually the designer of the course because they are the artists.

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So the caddie helps the player defeat each boss they face. They plan the attack for the course they’re about to play.

Golf, as we know, is a mind game. Caddies return the favor on tricky courses.

Plus, there aren’t many things cooler than a caddie who can read green slopes and yardages at will. The golfer just needs to have the right swings.

Golf just wouldn’t be the same without the caddies. The Evans Scholars Foundation is a celebration of the profession, and it’s changing lives forever.

You can visit WGAESF.org for more information on the Western Golf Association and Evans Scholars Foundation. You can also read the latest WGA Magazine for more insight on the happenings in the organization.

Next: Riveria Country Club - A Golf Course for the Ages

What are your thoughts on the Western Golf Association and the Evans Scholars Foundation? Were you a caddie  in the program? Tell us your looper stories in the comments section or let me know on Twitter @ChiGolfRadio. 

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